AOPA APPLAUDS SENATE CONFIRMATION OF MICHAEL WHITAKER AS FAA ADMINISTRATOR

Whitaker will serve a five-year term ending in 2028, and will become the FAA’s first permanent leader since Steve Dickson resigned in March 2022. Acting administrator Polly Trottenberg, who has been in the role since June, was prohibited from serving in the role past October 25.

“I am really pleased the Senate took action to confirm Mike and look forward to working with him to help pilots and to move GA forward,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “He’s a capable leader, knows aviation, knows the agency, and he’s a private pilot.”

Whitaker was nominated by President Biden on September 7 and confirmed unanimously by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on October 18 after a hearing earlier in the month. The confirmation process has been virtually undisputed because of his extensive aviation experience within both the public and private sectors.

From 2013 to 2016 Whitaker served as the deputy administrator and chief NexGen officer at the FAA, during which he became familiar with issues facing general aviation pilots. Over his career, he has spent time at Trans World Airlines, United Airlines, InterGlobe Enterprises, and Hyundai Urban Air Mobility. Prior to his confirmation as administrator, between January 2022 and October 2023, Whitaker had worked in various leadership roles at Supernal, a mobility service provider developing advanced air mobility electric aircraft and a supporting transit ecosystem.